Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle United - Match Reports, Highlights, Goal Videos and Robbie's Reaction

The match reports

The Observer, Dominic Fifield: “A third successive win maintained the European champions’ pristine opening, with this their most impressive performance to date, given that it was achieved against a Newcastle team whose own pedigree is now well established after last season’s exploits. Alan Pardew’s side had dazzled themselves when visiting south-west London back in the spring, the pair of goals conjured up by Papiss Cissé that night still seared on the memory. Yet the pizzazz this time around was all Chelsea’s. Their collective is a blur of attacking intent at present but the whole setup feels revived by the tricks and flicks summoned by Eden Hazard and Juan Mata, and by the form such creativity is coaxing from Fernando Torres.”

The Sunday Telegraph, Jason Burt: “Not so long ago Chelsea without either John Terry or Frank Lampard would have sent a shudder of apprehension through the club’s supporters but a big splash of spending, a cool £80 million this summer, and an evolving line-up meant it registered only a ripple. However while Terry was injured – a neck problem – Lampard was removed to the bench and rested. Not a scenario that he has reacted to well previously but the clock is ticking and the calendar of games comes quick and fast when you are European champions.”

The Independent on Sunday, Glenn Moore: “New signing Eden Hazard is already shaping up to be the star of the season and he scored his first goal in English football, then supplied a sixth assist, for Fernando Torres, as Chelsea made it three wins from three. “He hasn’t surprised us,” said Roberto Di Matteo. “We had watched him a lot last season. It’s a different league, so you’re not quite sure how he’ll adapt to the Premier League, but he seems to have found his feet very quickly. He’s a wonderful player for us.””

The Official Chelsea FC Website: “The Blues remain at the top of the Premier League, albeit having played a game more than most of our rivals, after a 2-0 win against Newcastle United, our third straight victory in less than a week. It was an impressive performance which saw most of the damage being done before the break, as goals from Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres saw us seize the initiative.”

The highlights and goals

Match of the Day highlights 22’ Hazard (pen) 1-0 45+3’ Torres 2-0

Robbie’s reaction

“People will talk about the goalscorers but I was very pleased with our performance considering it was our third game in six days and we were playing against probably our toughest opposition. In the first half we saw some good football again and we tailed off a little bit in the second half but probably because it was our third game in six days.

“Hazard has quite a lot of assists and it was good for him to get his first goal, and the second goal from Torres was terrific play by us.

“But it is not just Torres linking with Hazard. He has a very good link up and understanding with Mata and the other midfield players, and the whole team. Thanks to his team members he has been able to slide into our team and play very comfortably with the others.

“We watched him a lot last season but it is a different league so you are never sure how quick he can adapt, but he seems to have found his feet very quickly and he is a wonderful player for us.

“Torres was very important for us last season, maybe not scoring as much but providing and working hard for the team. He is a great team player as well. I know we ask strikers to score but not only that.”

The Podding Shed

You’ll be pleased to hear that the Podding Shed has been rebuilt after it was washed away in the early summer rains. Conditions permitting, the sons of the soil will reconvene in the Shed on Tuesday evening, where they will discuss this match and much much more.

Contributors wanted

If you fancy writing the odd match review post for the blog, get in touch. Our scouts are always on the lookout for more talent to add to the squad. More details here.

*Hat tip to JD and Stephen for the featured image ideas. The way things are going I’m going to need a lot more. Keep ‘em coming!